Predominant in most health bars, there is normally a large array of salads available from plain ones to more unusual or exotic mixes. Displayed in front of you in a cool cabinet, you can pick and choose what you want, generally for a fixed price. You can also add cold meats, fish and low calorie items such as cottage cheese. Coleslaw, potato salad, waldorf salad, florida salad are among some of the normal choices, along with a selection of low fat dressings.

Health Bar, Salad

Vegetable Sushi

These are sold to promote a healthy meal or snack to customers and are usually the prewrapped selection. Matchstick and julienned vegetables are wrapped sometimes with beanshoots and other times with sticky rice and served with a choice of dips such as raw honey and soy, sweet chilli and a simple low fat mayonnaise. A variety of seaweeds are also used.

Health Bar

Seafood Platter

Seafood platters are regularly served in health bars and consist of prawns, lobster, smoked salmon, tuna with salad garnish Commonly served on a bed of ice with parsley and lemon and a finger bowl or wet wipe to clean up afterwards!

Health Bar

Packet Snacks

Many varieties of crisps or potato chips of all flavours are sold, along with chipsticks, mini crackers, Twiglets, chocolate bars, cereal bars and other sweets. Muffins such as chocolate and blueberry in packets are also readily available, and even many small pies (pork pies or chicken pies) for another savoury snack for lunch. Vegetarian options on snacks have increased over the last five to 10 years, including vegetable crisps and vegetable chews.

Sandwich Bar, Cafes

Fruit

You will usually find a selection of standard fresh fruit available such as apples, bananas, oranges – but also there will frequently be a large bowl of fresh fruit salad with yoghurts. The fruit salad is put into a plastic or polystyrene container to take away, with a carton of yoghurt of your choice and a plastic spoon.

Health Bar, Sandwich Bar, Salad

Fruit

You will usually find a selection of standard fresh fruit available such as apples, bananas, oranges – but also there will frequently be a large bowl of fresh fruit salad with yoghurts. The fruit salad is put into a plastic or polystyrene container to take away, with a carton of yoghurt of your choice and a plastic spoon.

Health Bar, Sandwich Bar, Salad

Wraps

Probably one of the most popular choices for a quick lunch or snack are the selection of wraps normally available. Fresh ingredients always used, fillings consist of prawn, chicken, crab, lobster and totally vegetarian. Always with a crisp salad garnish, the wraps are usually available in white, rye or wholewheat.

Health Bar, Sandwich Bar

Wraps

Probably one of the most popular choices for a quick lunch or snack are the selection of wraps normally available. Fresh ingredients always used, fillings consist of prawn, chicken, crab, lobster and totally vegetarian. Always with a crisp salad garnish, the wraps are usually available in white, rye or wholewheat.

Health Bar, Sandwich Bar

Grilled Chicken

Always a favourite in health bars, due to its low fat content and versatility. Generally served with a mixed salad (or a helping from the salad bar) it is usually cooked oil-free on a grill, sometimes with seasoning, sometimes as a Cajun version. It is often ‘butterflied’ and cooked with a fresh herb marinade. Dry baked slices of potatoes can also be an accompaniment.

Health Bar

Grilled Chicken

Always a favourite in health bars, due to its low fat content and versatility. Generally served with a mixed salad (or a helping from the salad bar) it is usually cooked oil-free on a grill, sometimes with seasoning, sometimes as a Cajun version. It is often ‘butterflied’ and cooked with a fresh herb marinade. Dry baked slices of potatoes can also be an accompaniment.

Health Bar

Sandwiches

Sandwich bars in the UK have really progressed over the years – no more soggy bread and boring fillings! Amazing selections of fillings are now available, including continental meats and cheeses, vegetable mixes. Traditional sandwich fillings such as cheese and pickle, ham salad etc no longer take priority, and discerning punters are going for more ‘exotic’ fillings with a continental theme – sandwich of the year was a ‘Chicken Provencale with Griddled vegetables in 2012. A variety of breads such as ciabatta, olive bread, walnut bread etc. now makes the old English sandwich no longer boring but enjoyable to eat.

Sandwich Bar

Baguettes

Becoming more popular in the UK are the variety of baguettes available, not just the fillings but the bread itself – white, wholemeal, rustic, walnut, olive – you name it! Fillings have become more exotic too, using continental meats and cheeses, chicken mixes such as Coronation chicken (very English and flavoured with curry). But still the bacon and egg breakfast baguette or hot sausage baguette remains supreme in choice for that early morning ‘snack’. More and more sandwich bars are now owned by Far Eastern partnerships and feature baguettes with Oriental fillings for that extra something different.

Sandwich Bar

Toasted Sandwiches

Probably a big favourite in most sandwich bars and cooked either on a grill or in a Panini press, Italian style. Huge variety of fillings – you can pick your fillings and they will make it in front of you. Variety of bread and rolls used, but cheese is always popular as it melts and oozes! Croque Monsieur is very popular (gruyere cheese and ham French style) as this is also buttered on the outside before grilling or sometimes frying. Croque Madame includes a fried egg as well.

Sandwich Bar

Hot Soup

A variety of hot soups are normal sold, served from large barrel shaped tureens or soup kettles placed on the counter. Soups are usually simple such as tomato and basil, mushroom or vegetable. Normal served in polystyrene cups to take away.

Sandwich Bar, Cafes

Smoothies

Every health bar has a big selection of smoothies available, and some use alternative milks, such as almond milk to produce healthier drinks. Always served with copious fruit content, they tend to be the softer fruits such as berries, bananas, peaches etc.

Health Bar

Fresh Juices

Some health bars have up to 50 juices available which are sometimes made in front of you at the counter using a large juicing machine or a ‘presse’ machine. Not just fruit, but vegetables and protein powders are often included, or nuts and seeds as well as wheatgerm. There are also, of course, the usual plain traditional juices such as orange readily available.

Health Bar

Fizzy Drinks

Great selection of the popular fizzy canned drinks are sold, including Coke, Sprite, Orangeade, and also energy drinks have increased in popularity in the last few years. Natural and carbonated spring waters are also available in the cold cabinets as are plenty of fruit juices in plastic bottles and cartons with straws.

Sandwich Bar

Coffee

All sandwich bars normally have an elaborate coffee machine, serving cappuccino, mocha, latte, skinny latte, Americanos and macchiatos. Plain black or white coffee, as well as tea, are always available – if you are really lucky, you may find frappaccino as well!